 H73 - Roy Smeck
Electric hollowbody - Red
Production year(s) : 1964-1967 (other years possible, not verified)
Roy Smeck version of the H74 "half-cutaway" or "neo-cutaway" shape, but with a lower grade body, simple bindings and painted wood. Late models have different pickups with larger housing and black rings. If you buy one from photos, beware that the red appears darker in real life than what we usually see on photos.
 53 images in database
mouse over image for file name - click to enlarge 
| Width | 15"3/4 | 400 mm |
| Length | 40"1/4 | 1020 mm |
| Body depth | 2" | 50 mm |
| Scale | 24"1/4 | 615 mm |
| Neck at nut | 1"3/4 | 44.6 mm |
| Neck at 12th | 2" | 49.3 mm |
20 comments | Add your comment ! - Brent - 2006-02-04
I have one of these, and ts sounds GREAT!... my only reservation about it is in the original tailpiece. It seems only useful when locked down, otherwise it throws the strings out of tune quickly. I would be interested if anyone has tried retro-fitting a time period correct Bigsby tailpiece, and if it would require alteration that would detract from the originality. I'm torn between what is a true "player" and a vintage guitar. - François - 2006-02-04
Brent, the B3 Bigsby will easily fit, because it was stock on the very similar H74. But usually the original Harmony vibrato works good. perhaps try other gauge strings or adjust the central screw ? - Nickolas - 2006-03-03
I just got a Roy Smeck and I can't decide if I like the flat wound strings. I play with a pick and they just don't sound right to me. - Brent - 2006-03-04
Nickolas- It all depends on personal preference and music style. I wouldn't play flat wounds (I believe that's what was original on them) because I like the bright sounds that the DeArmond produces with round wounds. The most important advice I can give you is to decide what strings and guage you like, and set the truss rod and bridge (or have it set up) for optimal playability. We have to remember that these guitars CAN play well, but they are a less expensive and lower quality instrument, and do have limitations.... but, the pickups are great! - michael - 2006-08-05
My parents bought me the H73 second hand in about 1968 and 38 years later it still sounds and plays great. - Jim - 2008-01-15
I have one of these H73 models. My best friend gave it to me about a month before he died in a car wreck.
It really means alot to me,and i love playing it - JohnnyT - 2008-04-16
I found this guitar at my wife's gramma's house. Gramma was put into a nursing home. Me and the wife liked to check on the house (was still fully furnished) and check the neat things in it. One time I was in a closet full of stuff and found this H73 guitar hidden in a pair of pants!!!! I uncovered it and have done research on it and found the model etc. I have a cheap unauthentic foreign harmony strat circa 1987 so I was really excited to find this one. Plugged it in and sounds great!! Pretty cool find huh? - camp radio - 2008-05-15
johnnyT...i love that story about finding a great vintage guitar in a pair of pants!! and brent...thanks for the tips re: flat wounds. i have them on my roy smeck H56 and i wasn't really liking them at all. i think i'll try what you suggest. cheers! - Hammer - 2008-12-23
My father bought this guitar new in 1964...its definitely hard to find and the sound of this beauty through a Marshall half stack is incredible. I have played it since 1979 and its playability is among the best I've had. This guitar ALWAYS gets comments from people in the audience. - Fred - 2009-09-07
The earlier version featured a different vibrato (something like a stamped metal version of a Bigsby which connected over the edge of the body). I remember seeing it in a catalog from 1964. A friend of mine from Norway bought the model shown here while visiting on Long Island N.Y. around 1966. It was great guitar for an economy instrument. The red paint was really intense, like a "blood red". - Old Guy - 2009-12-22
I received one of these for Christmas in 1967 (if memory serves me) and I loved it. A year or two later, I filed the frets to lower them, and it played like a DREAM. Sadly, it was stolen from my parents home while I was traveling. Somebody out there has it and hopefully is enjoying it, as it was/is a killer player. Low action, killer tone, and unique look... Funny thing, initially I wasn't happy with the red color. After it was stolen I replaced it with a Gibson 335... the only color available..??? Red. Over the years, by no choice of mine, I've ended up with many red guitars. Fortunately, the 335 I found is one that raises the hair on your head... I still wish I had the Roy Smeck..!!!! - JOHN P. - 2010-02-01
Ive had my H73 Roy Smeck guitar for over 35 years now and it still looks like new and plays and sounds great! Im pretty sure its a 1963 model. Ive been offered a lot for it but I wont ever part with it. I love it! - Kerry Martin - 2010-10-01
My father purchased the H73 in 1964. He recently passed away and I became the proud owner of a finely crafted and amazing sounding guitar. This guitar is still in wonderful condition in spite of being mauled and manhandled by the "grandkids" over the years. My father and this guitar inspired both of his sons to become pro musicians whose careers have spanned over 40 years each, and two cousins and their sons who still play today...thank you dad and Harmony Guitars. It's been a great ride! - - 2010-10-27
Michael,
I don't play much guitar in band situations anymore, but took my Harmony to rehearsal last week. In this modern age of players with their Fender Strats., Teles, Gibson L.P's etc., they were absolutely blown away by the tones and sounds I could bring out from my H73. They were especially floored by how sensitive it is to pick attack. One of our guitar players commented,
" I always thought that Harmony guitars were cheap pieces of junk, but I'd LOVE to have one of them (meaning my Roy Smeck model). As someone else commented, I wasn't crazy about the Red color when I first got mine 40 some years ago either, but grew to love it. - Wild Bill - 2011-05-03
I found one of these beautiful guitars at a church flea market, around 1985. Came with original case, in perfect condition. Paid $35 for it as I recall, and I wouldn't part with it, except maybe for a lot of money. - Mark S. - 2012-04-27
In 1964, when I was 14, I took lessons with Roy Smeck at his apartment on Manhattan's the upper west side, and got my H73 directly from him. The only difference is that mine has a tortoise pick guard (as did Roy's) instead of the white one in the pictures here. I have a photo from that time of the two of us playing our H73s. I still have mine 48 years later. I wouldn't part with it for any amount of money. I wish I could say it's in mint condition, but it was a working guitar and has collected its share of dings over the years - but it still sounds great through my Fender Deluxe tube amp, and I still string it with flat wounds. - Mark S. - 2012-04-27
Another small difference: "Harmony" is on the upper body, and "Roy Smeck" is on head of neck - the reverse of their appearance in the pictures. - curtis - 2014-02-13
Actually own the H73 shown on row 4 of the pics. It is the one with the "case rash" on the upper bout by Roy Smeck script. Have had many friends comment on the tones this guitar delivers. This guitar is like new and spent almost all it's life in the case. The case rash is the only marks on this guitar. Looks like it had never been played!Found it on ebay and got a Killer Deal! It now resides with 3 other Roys in my collection. ( along with other Harmonys and silvertones.) - String Bean - 2014-02-15
I have one exactly like the 3 photos 11,12,13(from top left)The only difference is the butter bean tuners were replaced with chrome Grovers some 20 odd years ago, before I got it. Still holding up great for a guitar it's age. - Jimmy Russell - 2017-10-23
I had a Harmony Roy Smeck back in the early 80's which I used to play in one of my old bands. It was purchased by me at Ray Mullen's Music in Pawtucket, RI and I paid $100.00 for it (used), case included. Unfortunately I sold it after I had left the band, sold it for $160.00 but after I sold it, I realized how much I missed it so asked the guy I sold it to if he would sell it back to me. He said no. :(
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